When Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz and San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh got into a bit of a fracas on Sunday, it seems like an isolated moment of emotional outbursts.
Jim Harbaugh Vs. Jim Schwartz: Coaches Fued Possibly Brewing For Months
However, a closer look around shows that there’s been something bubbling beneath the surface between these two coaches for some time now.
According to the Santa Clara Press-Democrat, Schwartz was having dinner with Harbaugh during the lockout when the Lions head man inferred that there’s no way the new Niners coach would be able to accomplish anything in the 2011 season.
“We were having dinner the other night and Jim Schwartz told him basically there’s no way you’re going to be able to get it done (if the lockout lasts into the summer),” John Harbaugh said. “He told him there’s no way you’re going to be able to accomplish what you need to accomplish in two weeks if this thing lasts a while. Jim just kind of bit his tongue, which is what you’ve got to do in this situation. Because there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Innocuous enough on its own. But not when coupled with Harbaugh’s outburst. Plus, throw in the first quarter incident on Sunday when Harbaugh tried to challenge a touchdown he wasn’t allowed to challenge. He threw his red flag, which got his team penalized fifteen yards. Cameras then caught Schwartz saying what looks like “know the rules” in the direction of Harbaugh. Whether Harbaugh saw this or was informed of it at some point is unknown. But its there...
Was there bad blood brewing between the two coaches before the end-of-game outburst? Hard to tell until one of them confirms it or not. But clearly, we need the Lions and the 49ers to meet in the NFC Championship Game in order to settle everything once and for all.
For more on the 49ers, head over to Niners Nation. For more on the Lions, check out Pride Of Detroit.
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